Keeping the momentum of the anti-illegal drugs campaign, the ongoing modernization and capacity-building of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and bolstering programs to further capacitate local government units (LGUs) were among the marching orders and strategic guidance of Secretary of the Interior and Local Government (SILG) Benhur Abalos for 2024.

Abalos issued the directives on Wednesday as he met with officials and personnel of the DILG, including its regional offices and attached agencies, during the traditional New Year’s Call to the SILG in Camp Crame.

In his State of the Department Address (SODA), Abalos highlighted the DILG’s accomplishments in 2023 in the realm of peace and order, public safety, and local governance, all in support of the Marcos administration’s pursuit of a safer, more peaceful, inclusive, and prosperous Bagong Pilipinas.

Abalos said the DILG’s flagship Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan (BIDA) Program will remain the driving force of the thrust against illegal drugs after the inaugural year of its nationwide implementation aided the seizure of some P10.41 billion pesos worth of illegal drugs.

The program also led to the arrest of 56,495 drug suspects, establishment of 74 new in-patient treatment and rehabilitation facilities, and the declaration of 27,968 barangays as drug-cleared.

He added that through the local anti-drug councils or ADACs, the Department will advance community-based rehabilitation interventions for persons who use drugs to eliminate recidivism.

“Our vision here is very simple: we want those rehabilitated PWUDs (persons who use drugs) to turn their backs from drugs completely. We eliminate recidivism so we can uproot the proverbial tree symbolizing the drug problem, once and for all,” he said.

Meanwhile, the DILG Chief instructed the BFP to continue its modernization and capacity-building initiatives to reduce the number of fire incidents and ensure that all the 1,634 cities and municipalities in the country will have functional fire trucks and fire stations.

To unleash the maximum potential of good local governance, Abalos said the DILG will continue to undertake capacity development interventions tailored to the specific needs of low-performing, low-capacity LGUs to ensure that no LGU will be left behind, especially in navigating the challenges posed by the devolution.

In the same address, Abalos also bared the accomplishments of the DILG’s attached agencies, namely, the Philippine National Police, BJMP, BFP, National Police Commission, Philippine Public Safety College, Local Government Academy, National Youth Commission, Philippine Commission on Women, and National Commission on Muslim Filipinos.

Also included in the DILG Chief’s priorities this 2024 is the continued digitalization of LGU frontline services; continued support to the newly-elected Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials; scaling up the crime prevention systems to sustain the reduction of crime incidence in 2024; and the continued decongestion of jails and improving social services for persons deprived of liberty.

Abalos also thanked the entire DILG workforce for a successful 2023 even as he rallied them to continue heeding the call of public service.

“Let us all bear in mind that access to decent public services is a rightful expectation of all citizens. So, let us all continue working together and give our people the best that we can offer. Marami pa tayong hamon na lalampasan. Marami pa tayong laban na pagtatagumpayan,” he stressed.

Original Article at: https://www.dilg.gov.ph/news/Abalos-2024-marching-orders-Keep-up-gains-on-drug-war-BFP-modernization-good-local-governance/NC-2024-1004